Volcanic arc

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plate tectonics

…overriding plate, known as a volcanic arc, typically a few hundred kilometres behind the oceanic trench. The distance between the trench and the arc, known as the arc-trench gap, depends on the angle of subduction. Steeper subduction zones have relatively narrow arc-trench gaps. A basin may form within this region,…

volcanism in North America

Arc volcanism in Central America is related to subduction of the Pacific Ocean floor at the Middle America Trench off the region’s Pacific coast; it is mirrored by subduction of the Atlantic floor beneath the Lesser Antilles volcanic arc.